Director of Audit in Alexandria, Virginia at Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust
Job Description
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
REPORTS TO: Chief Audit Executive
DATE: November 9, 2026
JOB DESCRIPTION
Summary/Objective
Responsible for leading the risk-based audit portfolio covering the Bank’s core operational and corporate functions, including lending, deposits, treasury and investments, corporate governance, human resources, and related support activities. The position provides independent and objective assurance regarding the effectiveness of governance, risk management, and internal controls; leads and develops a team of audit professionals; communicates significant risks and themes to executive management and the Audit Committee; and supports execution of the Internal Audit strategy.
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the risk-based audit portfolio covering commercial and consumer lending, credit administration, loan operations, deposits, banking operations, treasury and investments, corporate governance, human resources, and other assigned corporate functions.
- Lead development of the annual audit risk assessment and audit plan for assigned areas, incorporating business strategy, financial and operational risks, regulatory expectations, emerging risks, prior audit results, and management concerns.
- Direct multiple concurrent audits from planning through reporting and issue validation, ensuring engagements are completed timely, within budget, and in accordance with the Global Internal Audit Standards and the department’s methodology.
- Approve audit objectives, scope, risk and control assessments, work programs, testing approaches, workpapers, findings, ratings, and final reports; ensure conclusions are supported by sufficient, reliable, relevant, and useful evidence.
- Evaluate the design and operating effectiveness of governance, risk management, and internal controls, and identify significant issues, systemic themes, root causes, and opportunities to strengthen processes.
- Exercise independent judgment and constructive challenge when discussing risk and control matters with senior management; negotiate practical, sustainable corrective actions without assuming management responsibility.
- Communicate audit results, significant risks, portfolio themes, and remediation status clearly and concisely to executive management, governance committees, the Audit Committee, and regulators, as requested.
- Oversee the monitoring and validation of management corrective actions for assigned issues, including assessment of evidence, sustainability, and residual risk before closure.
- Lead, coach, and develop audit managers and staff; establish clear expectations, review performance, support succession and skills development, and promote accountability, collaboration, and high-quality execution.
- Maintain ongoing business monitoring and relationships with senior leaders in assigned areas to understand changes in strategy, products, systems, personnel, risk profile, and control environment while preserving Internal Audit independence.
- Promote the use of data analytics, continuous monitoring, automation, and other innovative audit techniques to improve risk coverage, insight, efficiency, and audit quality.
- Coordinate with other Internal Audit leaders, external auditors, regulators, and second-line risk functions to support appropriate assurance coverage and minimize unnecessary duplication, while maintaining clear accountability and independence.
Other Duties
- Assist the Chief Audit Executive with departmental strategy, Audit Committee and regulatory reporting, resource planning, and other enterprise or Internal Audit initiatives.
- Participate in significant Bank initiatives and change programs in an advisory capacity, providing independent risk and control insight without assuming management ownership or decision-making responsibility.
- Maintain professional knowledge through continuing education, industry participation, and monitoring of developments affecting banking, lending, deposits, treasury, governance, human resources, and internal audit.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Skills/Abilities
- Expert knowledge of risk-based internal auditing, governance, enterprise risk management, internal controls, audit planning, issue evaluation, reporting, and remediation validation within a regulated financial institution.
- Strong knowledge of banking operations and risks across lending and credit administration, deposits and payments, treasury and investments, corporate governance, human resources, and related operational support functions.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a complex audit portfolio, manage competing priorities, allocate resources, and consistently deliver high-quality work within established timelines and budgets.
- Proven people leadership skills, including hiring, coaching, performance management, succession planning, and development of professionals with varied experience and skill sets.
- Executive-level written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex matters into clear risk themes, conclusions, and actionable recommendations.
- Ability to build credible relationships and influence senior leaders while maintaining objectivity, professional skepticism, confidentiality, and independence.
- Strong analytical, critical-thinking, root-cause analysis, negotiation, and problem-solving skills; ability to exercise sound judgment in complex or ambiguous situations.
- Experience using data analytics, continuous monitoring, and audit management technology to enhance assurance coverage and efficiency.
- Ability to recognize emerging risks, connect issues across businesses and processes, and translate observations into enterprise-level insights.
- High ethical standards and demonstrated commitment to integrity, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has supervisory responsibilities and is accountable for leading, developing, and evaluating assigned Internal Audit personnel.
Work Environment
This job operates in an office setting, the opportunity to telework is not available. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Office environment with job duties conducted via telephone, face to face meetings, and on the computer.
Physical Demands
This position requires manual dexterity, the ability to lift files and open cabinets. This position requires bending, stooping or standing as necessary.
Travel
Limited travel may be required for this position, including travel to Bank locations and occasional industry, training, or regulatory meetings.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, economics, or a related field required; relevant advanced degree preferred.
- Active Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or related professional certification required. Related certifications may include Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or another credential relevant to the assigned portfolio.
- At least twelve years of progressively responsible experience in internal audit, external audit, risk management, bank supervision, or a related assurance function, including substantial experience in the financial services industry.
- Minimum five years of experience leading audit professionals and managing a complex portfolio of risk-based audits; experience leading managers or multiple audit teams strongly preferred.
- Experience presenting complex audit and risk matters to executive management, governance committees, boards or board committees, and bank regulators.
- Experience within a public financial institution or SEC registrant preferred.
Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status
For Applicants located in Alexandria, Virginia (VA): The anticipated salary range for this position is $170,000 to $220,000 annually.
The ranges listed for Virigina represent the good-faith compensation the Company reasonably expects to pay for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, education, certifications, internal equity, and business needs. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as bonuses or incentive pay, where applicable.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
This employer is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.Scan to Apply
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